Scott Dunlap's blog of trail running, ultrarunning, triathlon, and other life adventures. I enjoy the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of outdoor events and the chance to meet cool people. This blog contains interviews, research, original fiction, new product ideas, and all things trail running.

4 comments:

Scott,I totally dig your blog, really good stuff (nut-tsak, stop it!). I also understand Dean Karnazes is someone you admire. I think Dean is a fraud. I am not disputing his fitness or his feats of fitness, that isn't what I mean. What I mean is that while the majority of the ultrarunning community tries to humbly describe the sport to outsiders so as not to look like their a different breed of human or something; Dean continually attempts to make it sound like he is from another planet. He has created his own myth through interviews, ridiculous running feats, and his book. His latest challenge, 50 in 50 is not awe inspiring, it is a publicity stunt because his book sales are flagging (no data to support this). The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei have done what he is attempting and then some, and then some, and then some! And they don't have running shoes or pizzas delivered to them on the road (another ridiculous story by "The Ultramarathon Man"). Well, I am ranting here, but I feel oddly compelled to childishly trash Dean when I read about the next "impossible" running event he has engineered for himself. Scott Jurek is the type of person I consider to be an "Ultramarathon Man", but that's (and this whole thing)just my humble opinion. Keep up the great blog, I love reading your race reports.

Thanks for stopping by the blog! I appreciate you sharing your opinion, and signing your name on the comment.

I've heard some mixed reactions about Dean Karnazes (and Pam Reed for that matter) from the ultrarunning community. We were just talking about it on the bus to the start of the Ohlone 50k last week. Four people around me (all ultra regulars) thought he was being too boastful, and the other half of the bus were new ultrarunners inspired to try a 50k after reading his book. The regulars loved the fact that more people were trying ultras...so it's always a mixed reaction.

I have always been confused about why people think Dean is claiming to be the "ultimate ultrarunner". In my interactions with him, he's always giving kudos to Yiannis Kouros, Ann Transon, Christopher Bergland, and others. When I've heard him speak, he's always pointing out there are others who have done more. He goes out of the way to say he is not a figurehead for the sport. But magazines like to create the hero, so they edit these parts out.

I know Dean is personally torn between the slams from those who think he's "done the sport wrong", and those that find inspiration in sharing his story. He enjoys the press more than your average ultrarunner, so I'm sure you will continue to see him try new things.

He book is still doing well, especially internationally. I guess we'll each have to decide for ourselves if that's a good thing for the sport or not. Personally, I welcome anything that gets people outside and helps introduce new people to this great community.

I agree that runners like Scott Jurek are better representatives of the sport of ultrarunning. But in multiple attempts to invite Scott Jurek to interview, he doesn't even return my e-mails. That makes it tough to celebrate his achievements. But I'm not surprised - ultrarunning is humble by nature.

Scott,Thanks for the reply and thanks for injecting your personal experiences with Dean. Obviously I don't know him, so I can only go off what I perceive in the media and his book. I agree with you that anything that gets people off their butts is a good thing. I also know that a lot of us out here in the void are just a little jealous of Dean's lifestyle and running acumen (nay, fitness acumen, he can do more than run). Anyway, no need to beat a dead horse here, just wanted to voice my opinion. I am disappointed to hear that Scott Jurek won't give you an interview (considering your credentials). He had an excellent interview on Endurance Radio that I really enjoyed (via PodCast). Keep trying, that would be a marquee interview for sure.

About Me

I'm a technology entrepreneur who took up trail running and triathloning back in 2001 to get off the work treadmill and see a bit more of the outdoors. I also love to eat, so the exercise helps me justify those extra helpings. ;oP I'm always interested in learning more about trail running - please comment and link away!

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